EU Expansion Could Shift Finances & Migration, ireland Warns

The Irish government supports expanding the European Union to include countries like Ukraine and several Balkan nations, but acknowledges it won’t be without challenges. It’s expected to impact the EU’s budget and change migration patterns.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe shared these thoughts while launching the Department of Finance’s ‘Future Forty’ document. this report assesses Ireland’s long-term economic and fiscal needs through 2065.

According to the document, adding new EU members will likely affect how many people move to Ireland. “While there is likely to be a staged process for the introduction of freedom of movement for new EU members, enlargement can also be expected to impact on future migration flows to Ireland,” the report states.

Donohoe reiterated the government’s support for EU enlargement. “We support the enlargement of the European Union,” he said.”We support, in particular, the enlargement of the European Union within the Balkans, and the membership of Ukraine within the European union, though we know that’s a demanding process.”

He explained that a larger EU will naturally affect the EU’s finances. “But what the report simply acknowledges is that a bigger European Union will have an effect on the finances of the EU itself. And I think those that are involved in the debate around the future of the European Union recognize that.”

Donohoe emphasized the government’s position hasn’t changed. “So the Government’s view on EU enlargement is unchanged. All the report highlights is that anything that big will have consequences, and to be aware of those consequences in the debate around it.”

This statement came during a Brussels summit where the EU unveiled its annual enlargement report. Leaders from Ukraine were also in attendance.